Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cambridge than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cambridge gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Cambridge faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Cambridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cambridge, and Cambridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cambridge’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $701K a year in losses across Cambridge: $555K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cambridge flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cambridge, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cambridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cambridge
Disasters that paid out in Cambridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cambridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$18K to the Village of Cambridge for repairs
Washington County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Cambridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cambridge archive →Cambridge and its neighbors
Cambridge is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Cambridge faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cambridge
Is Cambridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cambridge has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cambridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Cambridge since 1978, $14K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cambridge in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Washington County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cambridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cambridge’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Cambridge?
By FEMA money that reached Cambridge, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $18K to the Village of Cambridge for repairs.
Is Cambridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Cambridge’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cambridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cambridge’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.